Gretchen gets taken out by funnyman Paddy McGuinness

It definitely wasn’t a case of ‘no likey, no lighty’ when Gretchen Mone met comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness at an annual awards ceremony.

It definitely wasn’t a case of ‘no likey, no lighty’ when Gretchen Mone met comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness at an annual awards ceremony.

Gretchen, who manages Slimming World groups in Dundalk, was delighted to get a chance to chat to Paddy when he co-hosted the Slimming World Awards with the organisation’s chair and founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

Bolton-born Paddy, who shot to fame in Channel 4 comedy Phoenix Nights alongside school friend Peter Kay before becoming a popular stand-up comedian and TV presenter on shows including ITV1’s Take Me Out, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

He added: “I have to admit the most I knew about Slimming World before the awards was a gag in Peter’s routine that refers to Slimming World as being a £1 cheaper than its competitors! Jokes aside, I was genuinely amazed to hear about what a difference people like Gretchen who run and manage Slimming World groups make to people’s lives. At the ceremony I met lots of people who’d lost incredible amounts of weight and it had totally changed their lives. Every single one of them told me that they couldn’t have done it without the support of their Slimming World group.

“Before I started working in comedy I was a fitness instructor so I know how important it is to look after yourself, but equally I know it’s not always easy to motivate yourself. So, having the right help and support to keep you on track really is invaluable.”

Gretchen said meeting Paddy at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, was the cherry on the top of a great year for Slimming World: “Obviously the most important thing of all is that our members have lost weight and improved their health throughout 2013 and we’re so proud of all of our members – many of them have achieved their target weights and been able do things they never thought possible before slimming down, including doing more with their families.” taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or simply fitting in smaller-sized clothes. And they’re helping their entire family to eat more healthily too. But as well as seeing stonking success on the scales, we’ve had a lot of fun throughout the year too – we’ve held parties in group, raised money for charity and members have cheered each other on with every step of their weight loss journey. I can’t wait to see what 2014 holds for Slimming World and I’d love anyone who’s thinking about losing weight this January to join us.

“I truly believe that Slimming World is the best way for people to take control of their weight this New Year. Even if they’ve struggled to stick to slimming plans in the past, I know we can help them to make a change for life this time around – our members are proof of that. Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan isn’t a ‘diet’, we simply help our members to discover new healthy habits and a healthier way of eating that they can enjoy without ever feeling hungry or deprived. By making small easy changes to the way they shop, cook and eat and getting support to overcome the challenges they face along the way, they see a big difference on the scales, a big difference to the way they feel, and a big smile on their face!”

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